FX’s original programming is to the point where I’m fairly certain they could air a promo with nothing but a black screen and the words “TV SHOW COMING SOON”, and I’d be hooked.

And to be quite honest, this doesn’t seem all that far-fetched given the inconspicuous effort they put toward launching new shows.

They did it with the magnificent Justified a few years ago, and last year, they began airing a cryptic, 30-second spot showing a car driving slowly down the street of a calm (though eerily empty) neighborhood in Anytown, USA. As the car passes the house on which the camera has been trained, and transmitted radio ghost-sounds crackle in the background, we see that it has been painted with a large, red sickle and hammer. THE AMERICANS flashes briefly on the side of the screen, and that’s it.

And I watched, because HOW AWESOME WAS THAT PROMO? And the show had a brilliant first season that fully surpassed my expectations.

So when I began seeing teasers for their newest effort some four or five months ago (maybe I’m exaggerating, but it feels like forever), I immediately knew that I’d watch it.All I knew is that it was called The Bridge and that it was premiering July 10th. Aside from that, it was the usual minimalist action: a car backing slowly away from a trailer in the black of night. A body being dragged across the desert floor with a bridge (THE bridge, perhaps?!) shimmering in the distance. Softly delivered Spanish being spoken between a man and a woman while a lone high-heel sits on the bank of a dirty river.

WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON?

Honestly, I didn’t care. Because these spots were so compelling—and given the pedigree of the channel’s recent original efforts—I planned on watching, regardless. But knowing that me talking about “softly-spoken Spanish” only goes so far, I did a little digging. And here’s what I found on the Internet.

Like most quality, “original” programming, The Bridge is based off of a Danish/Swedish TV series of the same name. Since we generally do not give a fuck about those nations, however, this particular adaptation takes place along the Texas/Mexico border. It follows the tale of two police detectives—one Mexican, one Texican—as they work together to solve the case of a border-hopping serial killer. Along the way, their efforts are complicated by rampant, Mexican-style corruption and unchecked drug cartel violence.

Anyway, it stars a bunch of people I’ve never heard of, plus Diane Kruger (Bridget von Hammersmark from Inglorious Basterds!) Ted Levine (Buffalo Bill from Silence of the Lambs!) and Matthew Lillard (Shaggy from Scooby Doo, which I’ll try not to hold against them).

Beyond that, there isn’t a whole lot more to say. It’s got mystery and probably some scorpions, and most likely some beheadings and a really good-looking detective and Buffalo Bill, too!

And although I kid, I promise you’ll want to catch this from the beginning. With the sorry exception of ABC’s short-lived, god-awfulThe River, I’m pretty good at picking television shows.

Now if only I could find a way to find a job as an overpaid, vapid studio executive. Let me know if you’ve got any connections. Thanks in advance.

Completely unimpressed by the pilot and can we declare a moratorium on the savant as lead investigator angle? Already tired. As said earlier by Leftridge, The Americans was indeed a pleasant surprise, but I’m still pissed at FX for cancelling after just one season, the excellent and totally original Terriors a couple of years back. The Bridge is derivative in every conceivable way, but I’ll probably watch a couple of more episodes before most likely pulling the plug on this effort.

Aw, man! That’s too bad. I haven’t watched it yet– it’s DVR’d– and haven’t really heard anything one way or the other. I’ll still give it a shot, obviously, but I don’t like hearing it’s “derivative in every conceivable way.” Maybe there’s some room to grow. Good call on the “savant as lead investigator angle” as well. Hello, Hannibal.

Yeah, I don’t know, it took time for The Americans to grow on me so I will give this more of a chance because of its FX pedigree. In fairness, they did explore some areas where the characters and series might have a chance to grow and I did like the cinematography, much better than what you normally see on most tv/cable shows. I’ll reserve my real judgement until about 5 or 6 episodes in.

I think the people who read the Star review focussed too much on the derivative angle.

So what? Lots of movies and television shows have been based upon products of other countries. That doesn’t even begin to speak to whether the end product here is any good or not, since I seriously doubt many people here have watched the Swedish or Danish versions of the shows.

And even if they had, who cares? Either it’s good or it isn’t.

I watched it, B Man, and it was good. I think you’ll enjoy it. Thanks for the heads up.